Question: What kind of sunscreen is best for young children?
Answer: I recommend that you choose a "physical" or "chemical-free" sunblock — that is, one made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (check the label for these ingredients). Unlike the stuff of chemical sunscreens that the skin absorbs, which may cause allergic reactions, these ingredients merely sit on top of the skin, forming a barrier against the sun's rays. There's no evidence that chemical sunscreens are dangerous or toxic, but we just don't know enough yet about how small children react to the chemicals. (If you do use a chemical-based sun product, do a patch test first to make sure your child doesn't have a reaction to it. Apply a small amount of the sunscreen to her inner upper arm. If she develops a rash or redness at the test site by the next day, choose another formula instead.) Another advantage to physical sunblocks is that they start protecting as soon as you put them on, whereas chemical products need to be slathered on 30 minutes beforehand so the skin has time to absorb them.
You may have heard that you should look for a "broad-spectrum" product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Any physical sunblock will do this. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15, but it's probably not necessary to go any higher than 30. If you are using a chemical sunscreen, a higher SPF is not necessarily better since it can mean a higher concentration of chemicals in the product. Also, if you use a chemical product, choose one labeled "PABA-free." PABA is a chemical that was once widely used in sunscreens but is now known to be associated with skin irritation. Finally, it's fine to use a "children's" sunscreen, but don't go out of your way to buy one since they're usually no different from the adult products.
No matter what kind you use, lay it on thick and make sure that every part of her body has a good coating. Pay special attention to areas most likely to get burned, such as the ears, nose, back of the neck, and shoulders. Some newer sunscreens will appear brightly tinted when you apply them and then fade to clear after a few minutes — using one of these products may help reassure you that you've covered every inch of your child's vulnerable skin. Then you'll need to reapply every two hours. Waterproof sunscreens may be slightly hardier than other products, but don't trust a label that says they'll protect for eight hours. That's only if your child stays perfectly still for the rest of the day! In the real world you'll still need to reapply every two hours or every time your child gets wet or is dried off with a towel, whichever comes first.
